Digital technology infrastructure management and business strategic alignment as enablers of digital capabilities in energy SMEs

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of digital technology infrastructure management (DTIM) on digital capabilities (DC) in small and medium-sized energy enterprises, with digital technology business strategic alignment (DTBSA) as a mediating variable. Methodology: By analysing data collected from Polish and German companies using the CAWI method (197 correctly completed feedback questionnaires) and structural equation modelling (SEM), we determined the importance of digital technology infrastructure management and digital technology business strategic alignment for digital capabilities. Findings: The research procedure confirmed the hypotheses about the impact of DTIM and DTBSA on DC. Somewhat unexpectedly, only a slightly higher influence of DTBSA as a mediating variable was observed, suggesting further research directions on the digitalisation process of energy companies. The results of our study also indirectly address environmental aspects by paying particular attention to the importance of the digital transformation of the energy sector as a process that supports environmental protection. The cognitive results obtained in the course of the conducted research made it possible not only to formulate practical implications for managers of energy companies referring to the economic aspect of the operation of this sector, but also positive and negative implications for the environment resulting from the digitalisation of the energy industry. Originality: Although the energy sector is still perceived as slow to adapt, our study shows that digital technology infrastructure management positively impacts the digital capabilities of energy SMEs.